This species is characterized by medium-sized petiolate elliptic leaves, pedunculate cymose inflorescences, obtuse flower buds, and cream corollas with tubes 3-4.5 mm long and the lobes a little longer than the tubes. The leaves on both surfaces are shiny with the fairly closely reticulated secondary, intersecondary, and tertiary venation raised. The intersecondary veins are closely set and well developed with usually 2 or more intersecondary veins clearly evident between each pair of secondary veins.

Ixora araguaiensis is simliar to Ixora brevifolia, with a larger habit. These are also both similar to Ixora venulosa, with the corolla tubes a little longer than the lobes and a habitat in dryer vegetation.